This is "Arkies in the Beltway" for the week of March 16, 2025! I'm Alex Thomas, the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, with your look at national politics and the Arkansans influencing the discussions.

The Senate and House of Representatives did their parts in preventing a government shutdown, passing a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through September.

Lawmakers had to approve this spending measure before the weekend after the previous Congress failed to pass their 12 annual appropriations measures.

All six members of the Arkansas congressional delegation backed the continuing resolution.

STORY: Arkansas representatives react to six-month federal funding resolution

STORY: U.S. Senate passes 6-month funding bill with support from Boozman, Cotton

The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee continued receiving input on possible changes to Farm Bill programs with lawmakers eyeing passage of new legislation later this year.

Ben Noble, the executive vice president and COO of Stuttgart-based Riceland Foods, appeared before the Senate committee last Tuesday to discuss challenges facing producers with an outdated farm safety net and stagnant commodity reference prices.

STORY: U.S. Senate hearing focused on agriculture financial straits with pressing farm bill need

Thanks for checking out "Arkies in the Beltway!" You can stay up to date with all Arkansas news at ArkansasOnline.com, or follow me on BlueSky for developments from the nation's capital!